Since my arrival back east a couple of weeks ago, I've noticed an alarming number of kids that ride against traffic here in the town where I grew up. One of which I almost hit, taking a right turn out of my street. I visited the police station asking what they do regarding this behavior. Basically got nowhere, which is what I expected. So I decided to start putting together a proposal, so I can present it to the mayor (an old classmate of mine). I want to volunteer my time next year and visit the schools to educate them on bicycle safety. I'm looking for suggestions from this forum, as to what you feel would be helpful in my effort.

One cool thing that can work is to get a few experienced adult cyclists to lead bike "buses" to take kids to school. This accomplishes a lot and has many good outcomes. Kids and adults learn the proper way to ride on different types of streets. It improves bicycle visibility in the neighborhood and develops a natural support system. Kids see it and want to be a part of it. It helps boost the "critical mass" needed to get proper bike racks and signage installed near schools. If you can sell this to parents at the beginning of the school year when the weather is nice, it has a better chance to catch on.

@ THE SKINNY They used to do that if you were caught wearing a helmet. Unfortunately the funds for such programs have long been cut. We're lucky they have the money to paint new lines in on the roads. At that, they don't bother with the shoulder lines anymore, just the center lines. Sad.

Good for you Spud, and for your community to try to get bike handling skills instilled at a young age. I see plenty of adults 'salmoning' as the Bike Snob says - riding against traffic - and suddenly appearing on the road where one would not expect a vehicle.

Did PA Biker make it over to this forum? He did some bike to school organizing for his community, and prob has insight to share.

Giving kids 'tickets' for ice cream for wearing their helmet is great. Small expenditure to promote good behavior. There is a psych term called 'extinction coefficient' referring to how long conditioned behavior persists after positive reinforcement. Hopefully it will stick.

My last motor vehicle ticket (no ice cream involved) was maybe 5 years ago. Right turn from middle lane, no big deal, but I was clearly wrong. The fine was only $35, but they tacked on about $50 in fees for 'electronic legal access' and other things. i was pissed! Too bad that (1) they gouge people this way, and (2) that this $ isn't put into road maintenance or bicycle advocacy.

Posted By carl x on 06/05/2013 11:16 AM
didn't i hear something this morning about the police giving tickets to kids on bikes for a free ice cream when they were caught obeying the traffic rules?

That's what they did when I was a kid! They has Bike Safety Month during May and if a cop saw a kid riding a bike safely they would stop them and give them a certificate saying so, and you could get an ice cream by showing that at a local place. That certificate itself was a huge postivie reinforcement and kids that got them also got a bit of status.
Maybe that's why I never fell into the habit of ignoring traffic laws like so many cyclists do today...

Back to spud's original concern about kids riding on the wrong side of the road, it's rampant in the suburbs. They are doing what their parents tell them (which is what they did as kids) - the education should be directed at the parents, but good luck with that.

C2K, as a kid growing up we would have an annual event (bicycle rodeo) held at our local sports facility. They would teach you bicycle safety, maintenance etc. . . They would hand out a prize for the best decorated bike. It was always a great success. A couple of good friends own the local cable access station here in town. Maybe I need to tap that resource to help educate this town.